The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 12, 1997
Filed:
May. 10, 1995
Applicant:
Inventors:
Martin Soderlund, Westboro, MA (US);
Richard Nihan, Dracut, MA (US);
Assignee:
BTU International, N. Billerica, MA (US);
Primary Examiner:
Assistant Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
B65G / ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
198841 ; 1987744 ; 1984761 ; 198813 ; 1984688 ;
Abstract
A system provides support for the underside of a planar object, such as a printed circuit board. The system includes a flexible loop having an outer face from which support elements protrude. A guide positions the flexible loop to align the support elements with one or more selected locations on the underside of the object. The system can also include a device for moving the guide toward or away from the object as desired. A tensioning element can be provided that is responsive to displacement of the guide to maintain a substantially constant tension on the loop.